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Maggie Whitley

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

You are here: Home / family / Life around here!

Life around here!

December 15, 2020 · 9 Comments
Filed Under: family, simple living

What has kept you and your home busy as of late? For us, it’s this…

The sound of Julia Robert’s calming voice is playing in the background of our playroom. Yesterday we finished another read aloud, Charlotte’s Web, so today my children are watching the movie. Knowing in-detail the lessons they are learning, along with reading books together, definitely adds to the joy of motherhood; the joy of teaching my children and being with them for so many hours each day. We experience so much together. Even when things feel chaotic at home, when I can’t call something by the correct name they still long to be near me and work alongside me. Tired has been a dear companion to me for the last seven years, but my children are gentle with their responses.

Speaking of work, we are continuing to work on a plethora of homemaking lessons: rinsing / washing dishes, cleaning off the dinner table, sweeping the floor, hanging up coats and winter accessories, tidying up the school room, folding & putting away laundry, serving each other food or another round of drinks. I am very proud of my children and the way they’re growing into their important roles at home. “We are in this together,” I tell them.

We are a family, and so we are learning together how to care for & keep our home. Baking together is even more fun when I have extra hands to help clean up. Surprise oatmeal cookies (with cherries & dark chocolate chips) or blueberry bundt cake are favorites around here.

Last week we sliced juicy oranges and grapefruits, blotted the extra moisture with paper towel, then slowly baked the rounds as afternoon lessons were taught. Marigold and I hung the finished garlands, one in the kitchen and one in the living room. Most especially this year, I’m leaning into the delights of being a mother logging (so many extra) hours at home.

I think I have cried more tears this year than ever before (which is a grand feat, I do enjoy a good cry). However, crying has always been like the flicker of a candle. It illuminates what’s happening inside my heart and mind, so I welcome the tears  wedged between caring for our home and my self.

In the fall, we ventured out on many local family adventures. We walked, picnicked, and played for hours outside. We celebrated Natalie’s 6th birthday, the losing of (more) baby teeth, and traded a crib mattress for one twin-sized (Landon). My blondes, Maxwell and Marigold, like their siblings, continue to care for others and as they spin tall tales. The laughter in our home is constant. Some days I need their laughter just to keep me going.

And now it is nearly winter. One recent evening, while the four little ones were asleep in bed, I strung wooden beads to twine and then draped it around our Christmas tree. I love the simplicity of the garland. And speaking of simple, I was served cashews on a dinner salad in November, and now can’t stop serving the same to my family. I am obsessed with the saltiness and smooth-yet-firm texture.

Tonight we began a new read aloud: Farmer Boy, the story of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s husband’s childhood. And I’m eager to finish a personal read, Jayber Crow by year-end. What books are you reading, either aloud to your family or quietly to yourself? I already have my next book lined up: Becoming Elisabeth Elliot. I can’t wait to add a bookmark :)

Earlier this spring Zack had an unexpected (yet welcomed) change in his career, and I’m eager to share more details. Together we are counseling two couples, are growing even deeper in knowledge of our faith, discipleship, and mapping out big dreams for 2021.

We have hopeful expectations for what’s to come, and we wish the same for you and your family as you finish out these last few weeks of the year.

xx, Maggie

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9 Comments
Filed Under: family, simple living

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Merry Christmas! Plus, adding a little warmth to my home. »

Comments

  1. Zackary G Whitley says

    December 15, 2020 at 10:14 pm

    Dang queen. Love this so much.

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      December 17, 2020 at 8:52 pm

      Thanks, Champion. You’re always my #1.

      Reply
  2. Katie says

    December 17, 2020 at 7:05 am

    I hope you’re enjoying Jayber Crow. And how funny – I’m reading Farmer Boy right now for myself! 2020 has been a year of tears and I’m glad you’re finding glimmers of hope in yours.

    I’m happy to see a post from you! I am on a super extended IG hiatus and I sometimes wonder how people are doing. I love being able to stay connected to people via blogs :) Enjoy this holiday season!

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      December 17, 2020 at 8:53 pm

      I love our many similarities. I also took a break from IG, almost 3 months. It was a much needed refresher. I’d love to hear which blogs you read. Share some of your favorites? xx

      Reply
      • Katie says

        December 23, 2020 at 5:57 am

        IG is so hard for me. Sometimes a break is necessary!

        Most of the blogs I read are written by non-professional bloggers who love to read and craft and are just trying to be good people! A couple of my favorites are Mary at mere-et-filles, Kat at As Kat Knits, and Sarah at Knit/Wit. I also really enjoy Alicia at Posie Gets Cozy and Ginny at Small Things, but they have “bigger” blogs, which makes it hard to create a connection through comments and email, like I have with my other blogger friends.

        There’s nothing better than finding a blogger who has similar interests, feelings, and desires and making a connection!!

        Reply
      • Katie says

        December 23, 2020 at 5:59 am

        Hi Maggie – I just left a comment with a lot of links, but I bet your spam filter caught it because it thought I was trying to spray you with spam! :p

        Reply
        • Maggie Whitley says

          December 23, 2020 at 9:13 am

          ;) it was flagged, but I got it!

          Reply
  3. saramincy says

    December 27, 2020 at 7:10 pm

    I need to read becoming elisabeth elliot! I have been reading her Keep a Quiet Heart and love it sooo much! I’m readying Wilder life about an author exploring the houses and info about the Little House books. Also starting a food memoir (my favorite genre!) called Save Me the Plums.

    Loved your updates!

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      December 28, 2020 at 2:58 pm

      These sound like excellent books! Where do you live? And, what time of day do you generally read? xx

      Reply

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ABOUT MAGGIE WHITLEY DESIGNS:
Maggie Whitley weaves her writings around joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith, and simple living. She homeschools her children, enjoys a quiet room while reading, and roars with laughter over the challenges & delights of motherhood. Maggie and her husband, along with their four young children, live in metro-Detroit. She has been writing online since 2008.
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maggiewhitley

JOY in motherhood & homemaking 🧺🌿💓✨

maggiewhitley
Reflecting on this today 💓🕊 When I reflect o Reflecting on this today 💓🕊 When I reflect on the moments I’ve felt my mind spinning, my emotions swirly, it’s almost always when I’m not feasting on the word of God. Not that reading scripture is the cure for anxiety —no! Rather, it’s hard to worry when we’re worshipping.
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#womenintheword #wearethehomemakers #scripture #dailyintheword #titus2woman #healthylifestyle #mentalhealth #anxiety #anxietyawareness
Current backyard status: stunning in wonder ❄️ Current backyard status: stunning in wonder ❄️✨
A quiet night: the furnace is running, the tea is A quiet night: the furnace is running, the tea is hot, and the whisper of a page turning. ♨️☕️📖 // We are breaking from school this week, my plan is to read a lot, walk a lot, and rest a lot. How about you?

#mothersofinstagram #tea #winterreading #hygge
I fought every internal comment I could think of a I fought every internal comment I could think of and took my kiddos for a looooong walk today before dinner. ❄️✨ There’s just so much work required to raise children! I’m feeling like a tired lady. But sunshine & fresh air are good companions to keep around. 

We came home and I made “the best dinner ever”. Max specifically announced, “it’s so great you’re launching new meals to the world”. LOL— kids! 🤣👏🏻💓
How about a little Wednesday night introduction? 😘Social media sure has changed over the years and we don’t always SEE who we’re following or remember WHY we’re following certain accounts. 

So, hello! As you can gather, my name is Maggie ;) 

I started writing online (almost 13 years ago) to share the handmade products I was sewing. My shop was called Gussy Sews. ✂️👛I love the community that has grown from sewing & sharing online.

Let’s FFW to today: Zack and I live in Michigan and have four young children (2 boys & 2 girls). I slowly left the handmade industry and walked right into homemaking, homeschooling, and encouraging women through writing. 💕📝

Motherhood has been very hard on me. (And not just because of how close in age our four children are.) It’s been hard for me because I fought for years to accept that *it’s supposed to be hard*. 

I mean, how do you effectively teach another person to know and love the Lord? Bc that’s how I think of motherhood: a calling to nurture others by studying the One who nurtures me. So I gotta make the first move: study the Bible and seek Him first. As my friend Autumn reminded me, vulnerability births transformation. 

(I’ve had to be really vulnerable!)

So, yes motherhood has fully transformed me. But even more so, Christ has fully transformed me. My list of “all that He’s done for me” is off to a beautifully long start.

Something else I want you to know about me: I stalled for years before acknowledging I have anxiety and depression. It’s hard to talk about this because of course this isn’t forever “my hardship”, but rather because acknowledging this means to heal I have to work through some really difficult things. ✨

But my friend Jesus walks alongside me. He’s already done a mighty work in my heart, including helping me process my anger in healthier ways. I’ve also adopted a heart for sisterhood, mothering, and Titus 2 mentorship.

Sometimes our greatest losses are our greatest gains? That’s what I’m clinging to!

How about you? Tell me something about yourself so I can get to know you on a deeper heart level. 🖤🖤
How do you play in the winter? // We had a really How do you play in the winter? // We had a really great time visiting family in northern Michigan. On my blog I share a few ways we played outside, plus I describe a memorable childhood game ❄️☃️. Did you play it as a kiddo?
We had gotten a bit lazy with our rhythms: screens We had gotten a bit lazy with our rhythms: screens in the morning (HGTV), playtime before lessons, and not enough quiet time after lunch. This made for a really, ummm, unenjoyable learning experience. 

But today! Today we reset the rhythm, and we have had a much happier home & time learning together. 👏🏻
Visit my stories for a quick message from ME — t Visit my stories for a quick message from ME — think outside the box in terms of how you view the definition of “motherhood” 💓😘 (also: look at my little friend, she’s sooooo snuggly)
It’s another cold, winter day. ❄️Today I hop It’s another cold, winter day. ❄️Today I hope to bundle up for another family nature walk, knowing the fresh air sweeps out any & all frustration, inviting inspiration inside. ✨That’s something we all need more of.
seriously LOL: I’ve found the secret to calming seriously LOL: I’ve found the secret to calming the Laundry Beast (as a family of 6). Who wants the inside scoop? ✔️🧺👏🏻
Another batch of “fun mail” is headed out tomo Another batch of “fun mail” is headed out tomorrow :) small celebrations like this are very life giving! PS. thinking of starting a zoom book club — I need more sisterhood in my life. 👏🏻📖
The house is quiet. The heat is on. The pages are The house is quiet. The heat is on. The pages are turning. The tea is calm. 🖤☕️🧺📖
Breakfast with Buzz! If only you could see his ful Breakfast with Buzz! If only you could see his full costume and laser blaster and of course the Buzz action figure he flys around 🌟💚💙💨someone has discovered a superhero crush! #joyinmotherhood #slowmornings #surprisedbymotherhood // Landon @ 2.5yo
Today on my blog I have a list of books I hope to Today on my blog I have a list of books I hope to read this year. Plus my reading goal for the year. And a few practicals ways I fit in reading as a mama of four young children & homeschooling them. Basically, all the good stuff ☺️💓📖 #maggiewhitleydotcom #readersofinstagram #read #readmorebooks
It was the perfect opportunity to rearrange the fu It was the perfect opportunity to rearrange the furniture as we took the tree down Tuesday midday. Def one of my fav things to do.🎄👋🏻 We made it through our first week back to school since mid-December! It was rough to begin but ended with high fives. ⭐️✏️This morning I zoomed with a mama friend and I’m impressed with the many topics we covered. Sisterhood is sooooo necessary! ☕️👩🏽‍🤝‍👩🏼

Just a few cheery memories from my week! How about you?
Book reading! One of my best “Maggie” activiti Book reading! One of my best “Maggie” activities. I finished my last book moments before 2020 ended, which brought my started list to a close. Small joys add up to big joys ;)

What are you reading this year? Currently?

How many books are you planning to read? What’s your goal?

I’ll share what’s on my list for 2021 soon as I received some nice titles at Christmas. 📖✨🤍
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